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Polk County approves Iowa Event Center budget after manager highlights $1.4 million projected return and upcoming preseason games
Summary
The Polk County Board of Supervisors approved the Iowa Event Center's fiscal year 2024-25 budget after general manager Chris Connelly reported a projected return to the county of just over $1.4 million, noted a strong prior year and previewed NHL and NBA preseason events.
The Polk County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Iowa Event Center's fiscal year 2024-25 budget following a presentation from the center's general manager.
Chris Connelly, general manager of the Iowa Event Center, told the board the FY25 budget is "realistic, attainable," and said the projected profit back to the county is "just over $1,400,000." He also reported that combined profit returned to the county last fiscal year was "just over $3,000,000," marking one of the center's strongest financial years.
Connelly outlined upcoming high-profile events that helped drive bookings. He said the center will host an NHL preseason game on Sept. 22 through an affiliation with Oak View Group and an NBA preseason game Oct. 11 featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also highlighted a grand opening for a renovated Junior Ballroom (the former Hall of Pride) that he said will expand convention capacity and revenue opportunities.
Board members moved and approved the resolution to adopt the event center budget by roll call before and after Connelly's remarks. Supporters cited the center's recent financial performance and new event bookings as justification for the plan; there were no recorded opposing votes in the roll calls shown in the transcript.
The budget adoption means the center will proceed under the FY24-25 financial plan and schedule; Connelly said staff and partners will continue booking and promoting the new events and spaces.
